The Quezon City Government invites residents and visitors to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse and experience the Chinese New Year 2026 Celebration at the Banawe Chinatown District on February 17.
The celebration will honor Chinese and Filipino-Chinese heritage and position Banawe as a key cultural and tourism destination in QC.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is traditionally celebrated through family gatherings, food, music, and customs that symbolize renewal, prosperity, and good fortune.
The celebration kicked off on February 10 with a Food Crawl, designed as a curated culinary journey along Banawe Street to highlight Chinese and Filipino-Chinese restaurants: King Chef Banawe Branch, Uniku Taiwanese Restaurant, Sincerity Fried Chicken, Juwei by King Chef, Banawe Soybean Curd, and The Coze Café.
The food crawl was organized by the Quezon City Tourism Department in partnership with the Quezon City Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc., media representatives, content creators, and Department of Tourism-accredited tour guides and operators.
Building on the momentum of the kick-off, the main celebration will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, along Banawe Street from Del Monte Avenue to N.S. Amoranto Street.
The day opens with the Bike Ride Banawe Loop in the morning, starting at Z Square Mall along Del Monte Avenue and ending at N.S. Amoranto Sr. Avenue. This activity promotes a healthy and active lifestyle while giving participants the opportunity to explore the full stretch of Banawe.
A Gallery Area along Banawe featuring cultural workshops and interactive activities such as calligraphy, origami and Chinese painting, lantern making and painting, wishing tree installations, zodiac panels, and themed photo areas may also be explored by visitors.
Other key attractions include the bazaar and night market, with over 60 participating merchants from the Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office, Maginhawa Food Community, QC Chinatown Development Foundation Inc., and art groups offering Fil-Chi cuisine, fruits, traditional items, garments, charms, and themed merchandise.
Meanwhile, a Drum and Lyre Competition at 3:00 PM is set to showcase the musical excellence, teamwork, and discipline of six participating schools: Commonwealth High School, Batasan Hills National High School, Lagro High School, North Fairview High School, San Bartolome High School, and Sta. Lucia High School.
Local restaurants and business establishments along Banawe Street will join the Best Decorated Establishment Competition and transform their storefronts with Chinese New Year-inspired designs.
The highlight of the celebration is a concert in the evening, headlined by Jameson Blake and Hey June!, hosted by Janelle Sy. The concert will be complemented by cultural performances, including a lion and dragon dance and Chinese face-changing performance. The festivity culminates with a grand fireworks display at 8:00 PM, followed by busker and DJ performances.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the celebration reflects Quezon City’s commitment to honoring culture while strengthening tourism and local economies.
“Chinese New Year is a meaningful time of renewal, hope, and shared prosperity not only for the Chinese and Filipino-Chinese community but for all QCitizens. By celebrating this tradition together, we recognize the deep contributions of the Fil-Chi community to our city’s history, culture, and growth, while strengthening the spirit of unity that defines our City,” she said.
“Holding this special celebration here in Banawe also means this place is more than a commercial center, but is a vibrant symbol of our multicultural identity. We are showcasing Banawe as a cultural and tourism destination where heritage, creativity, and local enterprise thrive side by side, bringing opportunities to our small businesses and joy to our visitors.”
The local government invites everyone to take part in the festivities and experience the colors, flavors, and traditions of Chinese New Year in Banawe.
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